The Trends I'm Leaving in 2021 — and What I'm Wearing Instead

This year has seen the revival of low-rise jeans, kitschy motifs, and retro tops. You can attribute the return of Y2K fashion to the nostalgic look back at simpler times although designers have always looked to the past to inform contemporary silhouettes. You either love or hate the Y2K trend, and while I'm somewhere in the middle, I admit that the designs aren't always practical or suitable for multiple occasions. This halter top sure makes a great summer concert look, but it isn't as practical for winter-ready wear. So I'll likely turn the page on that era's aesthetic in favor of classic styles that will stand the test of time.

Whether it's a timeless scoop neck sweater, a tailored blazer, or a textured leather skirt you'll turn to season after season, the pieces that currently speak to me are the ones that can be mixed and matched into an endless combination of looks. This season, designers have mastered the art of practical separates — from printed pants to flattering corsets — providing a well of inspiration for putting together polished and easygoing outfits for work and beyond.

Having spent the better half of this year lounging in loose sweatsuits, I'm ready to elevate my everyday look, while still retaining that sense of comfort. 2021 was the year where everything goes, as we spent much of our time at home. While it's totally acceptable to pair a sweatsuit or a Juicy Couture tracksuit with a bomber jacket or a long coat to go on a run, I miss the sense of "put-togetherness" a slightly more polished set can provide.

Such a thing does exist, and the key is in the fabric choice. Refined rib-knit sets feel like a more intentional alternative to sweat suits, and they pack all the comfort and warmth. Whether you're headed to the office, staying in for a candlelit dinner with your partner, or having a sleepover with friends, matching sets make the perfect wear-everywhere ensembles.

Don't get me wrong, a neutral or simple jacket will still do its job (and will never go out of style). But as we emerge from the pandemic, I want my clothing to speak to the sense of optimism I am so badly trying to cultivate. Sure, muted palettes are a cold-weather classic, but I'm not afraid to rewrite the fashion rules by going for bolder, more expressive outfits.

Whether it's a textured shearling-trimmed coat, a lilac leather shirt jacket or a brightly printed jacket, I'm opting for outerwear that both meets their function as protective winter gear, but also dials up the style factor. Designers weren't afraid to embrace color on the spring 2022 runway, and I saw it as an invitation to be bold. After all, your jacket may be the only thing people see during the winter, so make sure it leaves a memorable impression.

Although I can appreciate the freedom embedded in a maxi dress, and designers like Chloé have endorsed the style during Paris Fashion Week, I've found that same sense of easy elegance in other types of dresses. Mini dresses have made a colorful and festive return in recent months, and I find myself gravitating towards them as they are equally versatile, plus the length presents a special challenge I enjoy solving for year-round wear.

There's just something so lighthearted and inviting about a mini dress (Laquan Smith's crystal-encrusted number from the spring 2022 collection immediately comes to mind), you'd be forgiven to think it's only appropriate for party wear; but paired with a blazer and mid-calf or tall heeled boots, a mini dress will make for a comfortable and stylish winter look.

Forget stiff pencil skirts and button-down shirts. If the pandemic has shown us anything, it's that you can get work done from anywhere and in literally anything. (Hello, pajamas.) We've seen revised takes on workwear, prioritizing a sense of ease above all. Now, you'd be forgiven to think that relaxed silhouettes are unprofessional. Turns out, there isn't a shortage of new office-ready silhouettes to inspire your fashionable comeback.

Slouchy trousers and reworked shirts can achieve a sense of professionalism balanced with comfort. I will happily include them in my updated work uniform — call it unconventional suiting — as they can transition from the office to afterwork drinks easily. Paired with a trench coat or a relaxed blazer, plus your go-to pair of sneakers or loafers, you're ready for casual Friday and everything else after.

Fanny packs are practical and keep you hands-free, but there's something about the belted silhouette that never sat right with me. I'm leaving this style behind in favor of reusable totes and statement shoulder bags.

I can't get enough of a metallic chain embellishing an otherwise regular shoulder bag. Bonus if it also has texture like this orange quilted style. One thing we can thank Daniel Lee for is the slew of expertly designed bags he created during his short tenure at Bottega Veneta. His intricate play on leather has gone on to inspire tens of thousands of iterations, pushing bag retailers to include the magical details that definitely set shoulder bags apart from the rest.

This wardrobe mainstay has reigned for years, but in the near future, I'm going for rich texture, eye-catching patterns, and mood-boosting layering options. It's not that there's anything wrong with this simple style. I just feel ready to evolve the traditional silhouette and create an element of surprise with more maximalist styles.

Gone are the days of boring sweaters. This season is all about showing personality, and crochet cardigans, colorblock or abstract art sweaters, and unexpected silhouettes will help me achieve just that. I'm embracing my maximalist tendencies to curate really unique tops that speak to the collective longing for a colorful and warm future.